• Preliminary Meeting: We will conduct a preliminary meeting to discuss your project and define the scope of work. We will focus on what services you would like us to be involved in and what areas we will be working on. We will listen to your hopes, ideas, and goals for the work. Our intention in this meeting is to learn as much as we can about you and the project.

• Site Survey: In every case involving a new home or addition, we will need a site survey by a licensed surveyor in order to perform our design work. A site survey is a plan of your property showing the property lines, the locations of all buildings on the lot and their distances from those lines and the location of major features such as walks, drives, or large trees. We also require contour information so we can work through issues of drainage and features such as walk-out basements. An instrument survey is required for obtaining approvals and permits. A mortgage plot plan is not sufficiently detailed for this purpose.

• Existing Conditions: A measure-up team, usually of two people, will come to your home to document the as-built conditions. They will be recording all pertinent dimensions and photograph overall spaces and any unique details.

• Conceptual Design: We will usually begin by showing you a series of rough sketches that reflect a conceptual approach to your house’s design, including arrangement of the rooms, organization of the site, and its appearance from the outside.

• Develop Sketches: Once a direction is selected we will create additional sketches with emphasis on massing and style to convey these concepts in a visual way. A model may be suitable at this time based on complexity of the site and structure.

• Approval Process: Based on site conditions and town requirements an approval process may be needed in order to obtain a building permit. If necessary we will prepare all the required documents and present them to the appropriate boards for approval. The approvals process is often lengthy. Many of these boards meet once per month, and they can opt to continue a case to the next meeting, depending on the complexity of the case and the level of neighborhood opposition or support. We will work to streamline the process, but you should be aware the time required may be significant. Although we cannot guarantee approval, we have a long and successful record of obtaining approvals for our clients.

• Design Development: Through hand drafted plans and elevations we will begin to develop the design; this is a fast approach to developing the vocabulary of the project. Once everyone is in agreement with the direction, drawings will be created using the computer to show exact proportions and dimensions of all the rooms.

• Pricing Documents: A pricing set will be assembled including an assumption sheet, which will outline the materials and performance we are expecting on the job. This information can be used by a contractor to provide a construction estimate. This estimate is based on preliminary information and is not a fixed price for the project.

• Contractor Selection: We will assist in the selection of a contractor. If the project is going out to bid we will assemble at least three contractors we feel are suitable and capable of completing your project. We will then compare all bids and verify that each contractor is pricing the project based on all given specifications.

• Construction Documents: Once a contractor has been selected we will work to complete the Construction Documents. These are intensely detailed drawings showing exact finishes, cabinet details, trim, and other unique aspects of the project.

• Construction: The contractor will acquire all permits needed prior to the start of construction. The contractor is solely responsible for construction, including methods, techniques, schedules, and procedures.

• Construction Administration: As your project is under construction a Project Manager from our staff will provide construction administration to ensure that it is built to the specifications illustrated in our drawings. We will also provide solutions to any unforeseen issues that arise during the demolition and construction process.

• Final Walk-through: Once the project work is complete there will be a final walk-through and punch list to ensure all tasks have been completed to expectations.

• Enjoy: We hope that your experience with working with us has been nothing but exceptional. We like to maintain a working relationship with our clients and hope that you will stay in touch.